What’s language disorder?

People with language disorder have difficulty expressing themselves and understanding what others are saying. This is unrelated to hearing problems. Language disorder, formerly known as receptive-expressive language disorder, is common in young children.

It occurs in 10 to 15 percent of those under the age of 3 years old, according to the University of Mississippi Medical Center. By age 4, language ability is generally more stable and can be measured more accurately to determine whether or not a deficit exists.

Addressing and easing symptoms

The disorder is often treated through the collective efforts of parents, teachers, speech-language pathologists, and other health professionals.

Medical exam

The first course of action is to visit your doctor for a full physical. This will help rule out or diagnose other conditions, such as a hearing problem or other sensory impairment.

Language therapy

The common treatment for language disorder is speech and language therapy. Treatment will depend on the age of your child and the cause and extent of the condition. For example, your child may participate in one-on-one treatment sessions with a speech-language therapist or attend group sessions. The speech-language therapist will diagnose and treat your child according to their deficits.

Early intervention often plays an important role in a successful outcome.

Ask your child to put your instructions in their own words after giving an explanation or command.

Frequent contact with teachers is also important. Your child may be reserved in class and may not want to participate in activities that involve talking and sharing. Ask the teacher about class activities in advance to help prepare your child for upcoming discussions.

Psychological therapy

Having difficulty understanding and communicating with others can be frustrating and may trigger episodes of acting out. Counseling may be needed to address emotional or behavioral issues.

Consequences of a language disorder

Effective communication is an important part of forming relationships at work, school, and in social settings. An unaddressed language disorder can cause long-term consequences, including depression or behavior problems in adulthood.